Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

[zodiac340m]

Re: Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

In my particular case, wanted to have both tubes siting on both top wooden bars, yes, deflated keel is the way to go, you can place fastening straps through these main sib locations :

1-Bow d'ring, tying straps to car bumper or front towing rings to form a triangle
2-Through middle sib, passing straps through windows to car's inside.
3-Engine transon plate, where you tie motor to it, form a triangle, then secure to rear bumper, or towing rings.

You can place a boat cover on top sib, just tied it well. Infating/deflating, folding is a hard issue specially if boating frequently, get a electric pump + a feet pump to top max recommended working pressure, the one you lock with feet and push with hands, much better than simple foot pumps.

Happy Boating

Nice, we have all the right rings and things on the car to secure it. Why do they make deflating and inflating on youtube so dang easy geeze they all make it look like its something you can do each hour on the hour.

We have the car battery electric pump as well as a stand dn push down manual pump and we will get a foot pump with the boat, the small pump i guess is mandatory to carry on board

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

Inflating is easy when you have experience doing it frequently, minimum time 20 min, will depend on the selected pump, if you have a electric tire inflator, won't be good for inflatables, car tires needs high pressure, low volume, inflatables needs low pressure, high volume, will take extremeeeely long to inflate.

Are you going for an air mat or alum floor on the 340 sib ? If air mat, place thick carpet correctly trimmed to match floor shape, and pay dog a visit to pet shop for nail trimming too, point nails can scrath tubes and leave unwanted marks if hyper doggy gets excited when cruising...

Happy Boating

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

Inflating is easy when you have experience doing it frequently, minimum time 20 min, will depend on the selected pump, if you have a electric tire inflator, won't be good for inflatables, car tires needs high pressure, low volume, inflatables needs low pressure, high volume, will take extremeeeely long to inflate.

Are you going for an air mat or alum floor on the 340 sib ? If air mat, place thick carpet correctly trimmed to match floor shape, and pay dog a visit to pet shop for nail trimming too, point nails can scrath tubes and leave unwanted marks if doggy gets excited when cruising...

Happy Boating

No, we have a pump that is not for tyres but for inflatables beds which we used to use when camping, it inflates in 2 minutes, I am assuming this will work? if not I will get one of the pumps specifically for the boats.
No, I am getting the 340S wooden flooring, but I will still put a carpet or artificial grass thing on it to prevent anythign from damaging the flooring.

I groom my babies myself, and I do their nails, so before the boating events, they will be clipped then filed accordingly. But still, I will put some covering for them not to scratch the boat on either side. Seat bags will be blocking passage so they will be restricted from back to front seat in the middle of the boat. They are not big enough to see out so I am sure they will want to jump up, I just hope they dont try for the seats cuz they may very well be dog overboard and I will have a heart attack. They will have life vests tho and I may opt for a line so in case that happens I can pull them back in.

I dont want the inflatable floor for other reasons, the areas i will be boating can be quite rocky and I hear it is just not safe I will feel more secuired on a hard floor.

Hey, I was doing some investigation on the different models of zodiacs in my class of 340 to 350, the Zodica cadet 340 is by far the most spacious and has more inner room lengthwise even over the larger models of 350 as well as width. So I am glad I deciced on this one.

 

[sasto]

Re: Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

Aw heck....I carried my 65lb Golden Retriver in one of them for many trips, fishing hooks, knives.. no doggie socks.....No worries. Have fun!

Little advice....good plans....don't over analize (sp?)

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

Aw heck....I carried my 65lb Golden Retriver in one of them for many trips, fishing hooks, knives.. no doggie socks.....No worries. Have fun!

Little advice....good plans....don't over analize (sp?)

But maybe your big dag was not hyper= my pomeranians tend to be a bit on the nosy side and likes to knw and see everything, plus your big doggie could have seen out so no need to scratch? I dont over analyze cuz when you do, that is when you get into problems. so I expect the best but prepare for the worst

 

[ONERCBOATER]

Re: Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

"They will have life vests tho and I may opt for a line so in case that happens I can pull them back in. " ----zodiac340m
umm just make sure the "lifeline" does not allow them to follow over them....perhaps more of a tether that allows them to move about but not actually exit the boat........ just worried about the idea of trolling with pomeranians the life jackets are a great idea... also if you give them something to elevate them in the middle (dufflebag) so they can sit atop it and observe that may work out well and keep them inside.

Sean

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

No, we have a pump that is for inflatables beds which we used to use when camping, it inflates in 2 minutes, I am assuming this will work? if not I will get one of the pumps specifically for the boats.

Electric pumps for air beds does not deliver higher air pressure needed for inflatables, they just provide air flow as to inflate/shape beds along, if this is the case, will need a extra pump to top max recommended working air pressure (3.0 to 3.5 psi in all chambers) the best one is the foot/hand pump type.

Happy Boating

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

"They will have life vests tho and I may opt for a line so in case that happens I can pull them back in. " ----zodiac340m
umm just make sure the "lifeline" does not allow them to follow over them....perhaps more of a tether that allows them to move about but not actually exit the boat........ just worried about the idea of trolling with pomeranians the life jackets are a great idea... also if you give them something to elevate them in the middle (dufflebag) so they can sit atop it and observe that may work out well and keep them inside.

Sean

I dont think they will jump, but it will be a whole new big world to them this water thing, so they will be curiuor as they are highly intelligent little critters. I will use a small line that will enable movement and the duffle or even a blow up doggie bed is a good idea, fastened to the boat of course as well as the lines being fastened to something that will not go in with them. I doubt they will jump in but you never know. Trolling with two dogs a husband and a big fish LOL, now I hope he has cam ready cuz you all will have to witness that firsthand when i get back

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

Electric pumps for air beds does not deliver higher air pressure needed for inflatables, they just provide air flow as to inflate/shape beds along, if this is the case, will need a extra pump to top max recommended working air pressure (3.0 to 3.5 psi in all chambers) the best one is the foot/hand pump type.

Happy Boating

Then, I will just order the right one from the dealer when I make the order this week, best to have the correct one. The pump we use for the air beds isn ot spefically for that purpose we just use it, it seems high pressure but I dont know and would rather get the correct item than to be sorry.

I am looking specifically for a 12V pump for rubber boats that we can use with the car to inflate and take the small foot one on board.

 

[KrisKastel]

Re: Will definitely buy a zodiac and I need some advice

You can still use a 12V air bed pump or portable 12v pump to inflate your inflatable boat, even though it doesnt inflate the boat to the same amount high pressure as a foot pump or so, it can still be very handy and useful, and will get the job done if needed. I use my 12v air pump to pump up mine. And then maybe you would only need the foot pump for 1 or 2 pumps at the end. Saves you alot of effort if you dont have the energy to do so. So its a good idea to have both options anyway, a foot pump like this tender here is a good one, can be found in the specifications page, as it has a large air bladder, which put your boat up easier and faster.